Modern Manners for Christian Teens

Modern Manners for Christian Teens - Parenting Like HannahWhen your children are in their teens and twenties, you realize something important. All of those manners you tried to teach them can make the difference in how successful they are in their careers. Most parents don’t think about that as they proclaim “Keep your mouth closed when you chew” for the millionth time. Yet as someone who has participated in hiring decisions, how your children use their manners (or lack thereof) in the interview process can be the very thing which tips the hiring decision.

As a graduate of the “Miss Manners” generation, I was interested to read a “modern manners” book when offered the opportunity to review Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top.
Imagine my surprise when the book arrived and I realized it was penned by Liv Tyler and her grandmother. Somehow the daughter of the Aerosmith rocker had become an expert in etiquette. My expectations for the book, admittedly unfairly, sank a bit.

Fortunately, Ms. Tyler’s grandmother did an excellent job training her granddaughter. The book was easy to understand and covered all of the basics. Etiquette books can become overwhelming from the sheer volume of information they feel the need to cover. The authors of this book did a great job in picking the most common situations and mistakes to cover and eliminating some of the more esoteric rules and situations.

Although billed as a book on business etiquette, I think it is perfect for tweens, teens and older to use in any situation. Granted, displaying good manners has a more immediate effect in the business world, but employing good manners everywhere can make a difference in all aspects of the lives of your children. This book will provide your children with all of the basic etiquette information they will need. The format is easy to read and even scan for last minute tips before attending a silverware laden meal to impress or other stressful situation.

I love the way the authors discuss a topic like introductions and then summarize it in tables and charts. It makes it easier to read in depth if you have the time and scan to review or to learn something quickly in an etiquette emergency. Ms. Tyler even inserts little text boxes from time to time, giving her personal insights and suggestions.

The best part of the book is that it covers modern etiquette topics like social media and cell phones at meals. She even throws in a fun game to keep people off of their phones while dining with others at restaurants. In fact, my only real criticism of the book is the illustrations. They felt dated to be in a book that in many ways updates etiquette for the new technology generation.

Although this is in no way a “Christian” book, it will teach your children some very important skills. Part of being a light to the world is treating people in loving ways. Christians should have the best possible manners. Great manners show our love and respect for the feelings of others. What a better way to open the hearts and minds of others to God than to demonstrate it to them in tangible ways.

If your child longs to be the ambassador to some nation or the protocol chief at the White House, this book will not cover enough situations to be helpful. If however, you want to help your children navigate life, school and career with manners and grace, this book is a great way to help them. I plan to share it with the young people in my life.

 

 

This book was given to me for free in return for my honest review.

 

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Thereasa Winnett

Thereasa Winnett is the founder of Teach One Reach One and blogger at Parenting Like Hannah. She holds a BA in education from the College of William and Mary. She has served in all areas of ministry to children and teens for more than thirty years and regularly leads workshops for ministries and churches. She has conducted numerous workshops, including sessions at Points of Light’s National Conference on Volunteering and Service, the National Urban Ministry Conference, Pepperdine Bible Lectures, and Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration. Thereasa lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Greg, where she enjoys reading, knitting, traveling and cooking.

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